The most generic of cars

[Dan]

Yet another car thread, folks.

What kind of car do you think is the most generic of all vehicles, a car that exudes absolutely no personality, or no positive or negative vibes of any sort? What car could have a badge on the back of it which reads just "CAR" or "AUTOMOBILE"?

My vote goes to 1990s and early 2000s-era Korean econobox sedans. Any of 'em just scream "GENERIC!" Really, they don't scream anything. They're just ... there. The Kia Spectra is an outstanding example of a plain, plain, plain looking vehicle. If I was asked to identify one as witness to a hit-and-run accident, I couldn't.

[JNA]

How about a 4-door Horizon - pretty plain.

[BKM]

I know they are reliable and everything and thus the perfect car for a household that views automobiles as "appliances," but I can't think of a single Toyota or Honda product that has any real "personality." Certainly not the Accord/Camry or Civic/Corolla pairs.

[biscuit]

I know they are reliable and everything and thus the perfect car for a household that views automobiles as "appliances," but I can't think of a single Toyota or Honda product that has any real "personality." Certainly not the Accord/Camry or Civic/Corolla pairs.

Can’t argue with you there. As an owner of an Accord I can say that, other than a rear spoiler and some shiny rims, there is nothing to distinguish my car from at least 10 others in any given parking lot.

Although, in my defense, and as little as I drive on a regular basis, I have to say that in my income bracket I have to sadly admit that I can’t view a car as any thing other than an appliance. Truly sad considering how much I love cars.

[The Irish One]

Toyota

How dare you!!!!! JUst kidding. I actually think my Toyota Tacoma has a guy just getting by/feel/look/vibe - it is bland. I actually got this response from a couple of coworkers whose lives revolve around vehicles. One has a Chevy Tahoe , the owner is a sex machine, no kids, no wife, it's the vehicle that gets him action and we hear about it. The other guy owns a Jetta, he's more thoughtful and likes the vehicle for its social purposes -it looks cool when he has friends in the car and they're out on the town. I would describe both as wannabe metrosexuals. Sorry not trying to turn the thread into a personality of car owner thing.
Ford Topaz and Tempo were definately blah.

[BKM]

Can’t argue with you there. As an owner of an Accord I can say that other than a rear spoiler and some shiny rims there is nothing to distinguish my car from at least 10 others in a parking lot.

Although, in my defense, and as little as I drive on a regular basis, I have to say that in my income bracket I can sadly admit that I can’t view a car as any thing other than an appliance. Truly sad considering how much I love cars.

The car as appliance should be MY opinion as well-especially given my dislike of auto-oriented urbanism and sprawl. I drive a LOT for pleasure-mostly to get to the Bay Area's core.

I do still love cars. I just wish they didn't so dominate our landscape and our lives.

[tsc]

K- cars.....the worst. Almost anything from early 80's...

also chevy caprice, lincoln continental, crown victoria.

[mendelman]

the lastest (and last) model of the Buick Century.

[donk]

Can’t argue with you there. As an owner of an Accord I can say that, other than a rear spoiler and some shiny rims, there is nothing to distinguish my car from at least 10 others in any given parking lot.
.

And even that does not.

is this your car?

[Richmond Jake]

K- cars.....the worst.

I agree. These were some of the worst.

[Maister]

It's true that historically the big auto companies have exhibited a marked tendency to imitate each others designs (call it market driven) whether it be fins, absence of chrome or boxy shape and this passes for fashion in the world of cars. But I think the 90's ushered in the Great Age of Conformity in design. Practically ALL new cars look alike now. Tell me its just me, but it's booooring.

[Seabishop]

Saturns seem like the most boring of the current boring sedans.

Every car commercial says their car is "different and exciting" no matter how average they look.

[boiker]

Checy Corsica - a standard car

Saturn SL1 - the standard car

1988 Honda Accord - looks like a standard car

Pontiac 6000 - here it is again!

1992 Plymouth Voyeger - the everyday everywhere every-VAN

[boilerplater]

K- cars.....the worst. Almost anything from early 80's..

That reminds me of one of my personal hells. When I first started at the NJDOT, they had K-cars. I had to endure many hours of riding around on the ugly highways of NJ with my conservative, taciturn, "I don't like cities" supervisor, listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio. Some of the cars seemed to have exhaust leaks, because I'd feel light-headed and sick after long trips sometimes. I was convinced I was doing penance for a crime committed in a previous incarnation. Not that I was embarrassed to be in a K-car, but that the company and situation was so troubling.

Getting to know some NYC residents has enlightened me to the fact that not everyone out there makes judgements about you from the car you drive. Most of them don't own cars, so its just less of a personality element.

[Repo Man]

I think that the Chevy Cavalier is a very generic car. I kind of agree with the Camry/Corolla and the Accord/Civic arguments. However the new Carollas are pretty nice and the new 2-door accord coupes are sweet looking, especially the black ones.

I drive a 99 Accord coupe now, so I guess I have a generic car

[tsc]

Getting to know some NYC residents has enlightened me to the fact that not everyone out there makes judgements about you from the car you drive. Most of them don't own cars, so its just less of a personality element.

and then of course,, in NYC-metro area..you have your "station car"... like an upstate winter-rat only used year-round to park at the train station. I have kept a car for commuting...why beat the heck out of my nice car?

[biscuit]

I think that the Chevy Cavalier is a very generic car.

Those are the main vehicle in my city's motor pool and I can say with confidence that not only are they very generic, they are also complete pieces of crap. I've driven lawn mowers that were more reliable and had more get-up-and-go then those cars.

I kind of agree with the Camry/Corolla and the Accord/Civic arguments. However the new Carollas are pretty nice and the new 2-door accord coupes are sweet looking, especially the black ones.

I drive a 99 Accord coupe now, so I guess I have a generic car

I drive the same model exept mine's a sedan, making me even more generic than you. It must just be something about North American tastes (or lack thereof) that inspires auto companies to sell such generic designs. In Europe, for example, their version of the Accord is sold aover here as the more stylish Acura TL.

And even that does not.

is this your car?

Yeah cause y'all know I'm too fast and too furious. I need the speed to ensure I'm never late to a neighborhood meeting.....

[otterpop]

My second car was an AMC Hornet. Very basic. But I liked it.

[The One]

Any Olds or Pontiac Sedan...from the 80'-90's is as plain as could be....

[AubieTurtle]

The Ford Tempo... so generic it shouldn't have a name. I like to call mine "the car invisible to women"

[tsc]

The Ford Tempo... so generic it shouldn't have a name. I like to call mine "the car invisible to women"

can you drive over blue-hair speed in that car???

[giff57]

The Ford Tempo... so generic it shouldn't have a name. I like to call mine "the car invisible to women"

can you drive over blue-hair speed in that car???

That is so funny. There is a lady here in town with a powder blue Tempo. She looks out through the steering wheel while driving about 10mph.

[DecaturHawk]

The 1977 Ford Granada:


The 1965 Rambler American:

I learned to drive with a '66 American. It had "three on the tree." Total chick magnet.

How 'bout this one?

[Dragon]

Checy Corsica - a standard car

Looks a lot like the car I retired last November. I had been driving her since '96.

I also can't tell the difference in a Camry or Corolla unless I'm reading the model type off of the back.

[Gedunker]

That is so funny. There is a lady here in town with a powder blue Tempo. She looks out through the steering wheel while driving about 10mph.

Has anyone seen the video of the jet landing on the I-5, the guy in the SUV and the blue-hair? Hilarious.